I’m premiering a new feature on my blog. My “Between The Lines” posts will introduce real-life themes or topics inspired by children’s/YA fiction.

To kick things off, let’s talk about cover images of Black girls’ hair. Yes, there’s been way too much “whitewashing” going on these past few months. But I’ll stand on my chair and sound a vuvuzela if I see even one cover prominently featuring a Black girl in all her naturally kinky curly glory. I’m still excited about the PERFECT SHOT cover, featuring my main character London Abrams rocking her big hair. Notice that throughout the story, London doesn’t feel she has to straighten her hair to compete in the model search.

image

Here are a few kinky curly characters who practically jumped off the bookshelves to grab my attention (see below). Check out the adorable image on the new chapter book SUNSHINE PICKLELIME illustrated by Christian Slade. Author Pamela Ferguson’s whimsically-titled tale is about a girl who invites a dejected yellow bird to live in her bushy hair. I should also note that in the story, big hair is not at first admired. And who can forget the stand-out image for INDIGO SUMMER, one of the first books to launch the KimaniTru imprint?  The same curly girl went on to be featured on other covers in author Monica McKayhan’s series. Then there’s the cover art for author Sherri Winston’s book THE KAYLA CHRONICLES. The way the character wears her hair plays into the story—Kayla is an activist main character who loses the puffy hair when she goes glam for an “undercover” investigation.

image image  image

And, if you can believe it, I was once featured as a book cover model. Interesting enough, I was chosen because of my hair. It was a total fluke—I personally know the book cover designer, and he was in desperate search of a Black woman with “natural hair” per author Crystal E. Wilkinson’s request. And no, the book isn’t about Blackberry phones. The title is inspired by Kentucky country living, as evidenced by the basket of blackberries next to me. Here I am, a NYC-born girlie posing as country girl. Convincing?

image

While we’re on the subject of coiled coifs, I thought I’d share my personal regime. I get lots of questions about my hair, so here goes a quick rundown of one of my usual styles, the “twist-out.” First, it’s all about moisturizing. I usually turn to Carol’s Daughter products for help in that department. Here I am, post-wash, setting my big hair in a handful of plump double-strand twists.

Winter 2009 684 Winter 2009 686

In these photos, I washed my hair at night, and then wore my twists to bed. But you can wear your twists as a style for days. The next morning, I untwisted and…voila!

Winter 2009 688 Winter 2009 689

Just don’t expect me to ever let a yellow bird take residence in this here head of hair. :-)